Plastic vs. Metal Hoods, Fenders, etc.

MessickFarmEqu · Jun 14, 2005

I don't see that it matters so much, if its done right. Deere's new 20 series tractors have plastic thats rather flimbsey. The fenders are not very heavy and the bends when you put it up, almost comming right against the hot muffler. NH/Case uses a simular design, but has a full metal frame and gas struts to support it.

To20Chris · Jun 14, 2005

Don't worry about keeping it outside! Some guys wax and polish their tractors, keep them all shiney, but some of us buy them to work. Maybe someday I'll have finished using it on all the projects I bought it for, and I'll have time and money to put up a shelter for it, but that will be a long time I'm sure. By then it will have faded paint, the decals will have come off, and maybe a rust spot or two (although I'm amazed at how well Kioti's paint & finish is holding up) - but it will run great and work as well as ever. Keep it greased and lubricated, change the fluids and filters, don't abuse it. Hose it off now and then. If you bend something, bang it back with a hammer. It's a tractor.

The only part I'm worried about keeping covered is the plastic dash panel & instruments - but for a handle or two, the rest is metal (pretty thick too - one of the things that attracted me to it).

Do you remember the "Velvetine Rabbit"? It's kinda like that, only there ain't no tractor magic fairy! Life's hard when you're a tractor, that's just the way it is!

cchoate · Jun 14, 2005

My 2 cents: I had 2 plastic hood riders that faded pretty nasty over the years. Once the sun broke the plastic down, you could push on the hood and create a white crack that wouldn't go away.
I prefer metal.

rockyridgefarm · Jun 14, 2005

Lotsa non-owners comparing the plastic on a Deere to a soda pop bottle or something. That's OK, we owners know better. This stuff stands up to crazy abuse.

hobbyfarm · Jun 14, 2005

( Lotsa non-owners comparing the plastic on a Deere to a soda pop bottle or something. That's OK, we owners know better. This stuff stands up to crazy abuse. )

rockyridgefarm,
You know, my 180 lawn tractor's hood (mid-'80's) is still perfect, with the exception of a small crack my wife put on it when she stepped on it to balance herself. And it lives outside in the HOT south TEXAS sun. Hasn't faded etc.
Non-owners have no idea!! Truly the Cadillac of tractors.
You get what you pay for. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

LarryD · Jun 15, 2005

County codes here require any structure over 120sqft be permitted, now I know someone who aquired some 6x8's about 16' long and made a storage on that. Completely portable except for the concrete slab it's parked on. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Cactus · Jun 15, 2005

( A jbwelded or bondoed held together fender is weaker than a single new piece. )

I disagree on the JB weld comment...you use the JB weld right and it is a strong as the original plastic...if not stronger....why do you think they call it JB weld ? Let me put it this way...it bonded it back together...it is holding,it shows no sign of failure...I am happy with it...it works for me...

bayoublue · Jun 15, 2005

I just bought a NH slightly used with a sizable cracked/smashed hood. A friend told me that it could be repaired as good as new by a fiberglass tub repair guy that he new. In a way I like the crack, now I don't have to worry about putting more scrathes and cracks.

rockyridgefarm · Jun 15, 2005

One side note.

Deere uses "plastic"
New Holland uses "plastic"
Jinma uses "plastic"
(there may be others...)

No two are the same stuff.

All three have very satisfied owners.

Kubota uses "steel"
Kioti uses "steel"
LG uses "steel"
(there may be others...)

They might not be the same stuff (different alloys, grades, etc...)

All three have very satisfied owners.

Deere's polymer hood is a lot different than a Murry mower hood. Kubota's steel is a lot different than the "steel" used in those early '70s cars we used to see in Ohio... /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

dancce · Jun 15, 2005

Branson and Century use steel except the grill.

We get a lot of concern about the "plastic fuel tanks" on many of todays tractors. We have had no problems with them, in fact in most situations they hold up better than a steel tank.
What a lot of people don't realize is that there are many different formulations of "plastic". The technology of polymers used today, is far advanced from what it was 10--20 years ago.

dancce